LYNN — It was a banner night for Lynn Classical athletics Thursday, as the Rams celebrated their Night of Excellence by raising 11 Greater Boston League championship banners from eight different teams.
“Especially after the COVID year we had last year, to look around the gym and see so many happy kids is really special,” said Classical Athletic Director Bill Devin. “These kids work so hard not only at school, but also in athletics. So to be able to see their hard work rewarded with these beautiful banners is a great thing.”
“What these kids have gone through over the past two years, it’s really special to have a night like this,” said girls soccer coach Mike Schena, who was also named GBL Coach of the Year after his team went unbeaten in league play. “It’s like a holiday out here seeing the kids and their parents so excited.”
Devin and the coaches talked about how significant it was that so many teams were able to raise league banners in just the first two years as members of the GBL.
“We were in the NEC for 50 years, so this is a historical night seeing the first GBL banners go up,” said Devin.
“It’s really cool to come into a new league and be able to raise 11 banners over the first two years,” said volleyball coach Chris LeBlanc, who was also named GBL Coach of the Year after his team went unbeaten in league play. “It says a lot about our kids and how hard they’re willing to work for a title.”
Three teams raised two banners each (one from 2020 and one from 2021) Thursday night in the girls soccer, volleyball and golf teams. Other teams that raised banners were softball (2021), girls cross country (2020), unified basketball (2020), girls spring track (2021) and girls tennis (2021).
“It’s just an incredible night to honor these kids for all the hard work they’ve put in,” said LeBlanc. “Seeing them get excited when they hold the banner and see the fruits of their hard work, that’s what really gets me.”
“To win a league title for the first time ever last year and then to win it again this year, it was a special thing,” said Schena. “And not only our current players, but also for the alumni who have been so supportive over the years.”
The banner raising was a part of the larger Lynn Classical Night of Excellence, an event that invites prospective students and parents to the school for a night of exhibits and discussions about the school.
“This is great because a lot of our student-athletes are also student leaders and good students,” said Devin. “We like being able to share this experience with not only our student-athletes but with the whole school.”
